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Cited by 291Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesOpioid Use Disorder TreatmentAlcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency

Benzodiazepine withdrawal: an unfinished story.

Open access
Ashton, H·1984·BMJ
DOI 10.1136/bmj.288.6424.1135
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Abstract

was the most important call of my life; I was on the verge of madness and could they help ?"That was nine weeks ago and during that time I have not touched a tablet.This brought on a series of symptoms that I had experienced only mildly before.Noises jarred every fibre in my body and my eyes seemed to shun the light of day.I shook from head to foot and enormous panic attacks would sweep through my body, leaving me exhausted and totally afraid.Complete fatigue took over the feeling of tiredness and sleep no longer came with the night.Many times I thought it would be best to die."I am lucky to have found somewhere where sufferers can be encouraged and supported through withdrawal.I have found many new friends, who, like me, were caught up in the web of addiction.Also I have the good fortune to have a very caring and warm doctor to help me through this withdrawal.It has not been easy-it has been one of the hardest jobs of my life and it is not finished yet.In the early days I began to think I had gone mad, but gradually a new world is emerging.A world that is not covered over with pills.It can be a very frightening place until my mind becomes adjusted to its colours, noises, and pictures once more."Someone once wrote 'Tranquillisers are the anaesthetics of the emotions'; this is true.When used properly, they are a 'must' in medicine, but used over the long term they poison the body and destroy the mind.One day doctors will realise the extent of tranquilliser withdrawal syndrome but until then it is going to be a hard battle, but in the end, we sincerely hope, worth it."

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Crossref · 10.1136/bmj.288.6424.1135

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  • The new symptoms in Ashton's case series included perceptual distortion, depersonalization, and paresthesia.

    “These symptoms included perceptual distortion, depersonalization, and paresthesia.”

    From Long-term neurological consequences following benzodiazepine exposure: A scoping review (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

  • The first report of enduring neurological dysfunction associated with benzodiazepine use was published in 1984 by Heather Ashton.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the first report of enduring neurological dysfunction associated with benzodiazepine use was published in 1984 by Heather Ashton [16].”

    From Long-term neurological consequences following benzodiazepine exposure: A scoping review (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

  • Ashton's 1984 case series reported that all 12 patients developed new symptoms after benzodiazepine cessation that lasted at least six months after drug discontinuation.

    “This detailed case series reported that all 12 patients developed new symptoms after benzodiazepine cessation that lasted at least six months after drug discontinuation [16].”

    From Long-term neurological consequences following benzodiazepine exposure: A scoping review (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

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Authors
Ashton, H.
Affiliations
Newcastle University (GB)
Corresponding author
Ashton, H
ORCID
Ashton, H
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
1984-04-14
Volume
288
Issue
6424
Pages
1135-1140
ISSN
  • 0007-1447 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-5833
DOI
10.1136/bmj.288.6424.1135
OpenAlex
W2080072810
Cited by
291
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI
23.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.bmj.com/company/legal-information/terms-conditions/legal-information/tdm-licencepolicy (tdm)
Locations
  • BMJ (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency
Keywords
benzodiazepine withdrawal, benzodiazepine dependence, withdrawal syndrome, long-term benzodiazepine use, patient experience
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Agoraphobia, Benzodiazepines, Central Nervous System Diseases, Depression, Female, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Time Factors, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Substance-Related Disorders

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